Energy Coast UTC

Energy Coast is a University Technical College (UTC) on the outskirts of Workington, Cumbria that opened in September 2014[1] for students of ages 14–19.

Energy Coast UTC
The Energy Coast UTC building in Lillyhall, Workington
Address
Blackwood Road

Workington
,
Cumbria
,
CA14 4JW
Coordinates54.615075°N 3.521192°W / 54.615075; -3.521192
Information
TypeUniversity Technical College
Established3 September 2014 (2014-09-03)
Local authorityCumberland Council
Department for Education URN140600 Tables
OfstedReports
PrincipalCherry Tingle
GenderCoeducational
Age14 to 19
Enrolment304 (as of April 2021)
Capacity560
Websitehttp://www.energycoastutc.co.uk/

The "Energy Coast" is the coastal region between Silloth and Barrow-in-Furness, it includes the Sellafield nuclear power site and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority[2] as well as wind farms at Walney Island and Robin Rigg.

Description

University technical colleges (UTCs) are usually smaller than average-sized schools for 14-to 19-year-olds. They serve Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. They focus heavily, but not exclusively, on STEMsubjects. All their technical, academic and practical learning is designed to be applied in the workplace. A UTC’s specialism usually reflects the local economy. Energy Coast UTC specialises in engineering. After an early period of high staff turnover, the staffing is now stable.The principal has been in post since September 2016. In September 2017, the UTC extended it Key Stage 4 provision, by enrolling 20 pupils into a new year 9. The college works with two training providers, Gen2 and the Lakes College, who offer engineering and construction courses. [3]

History

The UTC's first Principal, Gary Jones, resigned from his post in November 2015 citing personal reasons. The current Principal, Ms Cherry Tingle,[4] started in September 2016, after a series of Interim Heads.

September 2015 virus scare

On 25 September 2015, Energy Coast UTC was temporarily closed following a suspected viral outbreak on its campus; however it was later discovered that there was no virus.[5] Any symptoms displayed by were found to be unrelated or psychosomatic and there were no lasting effects. As a precaution when the cause was still unknown, the school was closed for two days for a deep clean.[6]

2017 Ofsted

After months of turbulence and two interim principals, Cherry Hinton was appointed as principal in time to front the UTC first Ofsted inspection.[7] Ofsted acknowledged that changes were being implemented, giving an overall judgement of 'Requires improvement' in all five criteria under consideration.[8]

June 2019 Ofsted

Energy Coast UTC had received a 'requires improvement' rating in a 2017 judgement that prompted significant structural changes. In June 2019 it was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted. Energy Coast is only one of two UTCs to be rated 'outstanding'. It remains under a 'financial notice to improve' from the Department for Education.[9] It was unusual that it 'outsourced' some its teaching to its sponsors without applying compulsory competitive tendering procedures.[10]

Sponsors

The UTC is sponsored and partnered with several local and national companies.[11] The Energy Coast UTC also regularly works with the armed forces, especially the Royal Navy as part of the Combined Cadet Force.

Curriculum

The UTC specialises in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), with an emphasis on Engineering.[12] Secondary Level Education includes several engineering qualifications, including the new, industry approved, "Design Engineer Construct!" course.[13]

References
  1. "First Day For West Cumbria's University Technical College". Times & Star. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  2. "Britain's 'energy coast': West Cumbria is eager to be a centre of power". www.ft.com. Financial Times.
  3. "Ofsted Section 5 report 2019". ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2021. This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright
  4. "UTC Staff | Energy Coast UTC". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  5. "UTC Closure Update". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  6. "BBC News - Workington College shut after suspected virus outbreak". www.bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  7. "'We're already making improvements at UTC' says principal after Ofsted inspection". Times and Star. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  8. "Ofsted section 5 Report 2017". ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  9. Camden, Billy (4 July 2019). "Energy Coast becomes only second ever 'outstanding' UTC". Schools Week. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  10. Camden, Billy (7 April 2017). "UTC faces funding termination for outsourcing teaching". Schools Week.
  11. "How our Employer Sponsors and Partners Support our Students". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  12. "UTC Prospectus | Energy Coast UTC". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  13. "Design Engineer Construct!". Design Engineer Construct!. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
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